# NTSB FTW98LA109: Piper PA-32-300, N2881D, Alexandria, LA, January 25, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 25, 1998, 14:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Alexandria, LA - Location: 31.3274° N, 92.5486° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ALEXANDRIA INTL (AEX), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3274&lon=-92.5486&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20524 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20524/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA109 ## Probable cause The fire in the normal braking system due to an undetermined reason. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, standing - engine(s) operating - landing gear,normal brake system - fire (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) ## Analysis A braking system fire erupted while the airplane was holding short of runway 14 for takeoff. ATC personnel reported that the airplane taxied 'fast' for approximately 2 miles (due to airport construction) to the runway. The airplane was holding short of the runway when the controller observed smoke coming from the lower part of the aircraft and advised the pilot. The pilot and the passenger exited the aircraft. Subsequently, the fire consumed the cockpit and lower portions of the aircraft. Fire damage precluded a determination of the cause of the braking system fire. ## Factual narrative On January 25, 1998, at 1450 central standard time, a Piper PA-32-300 airplane, N2881D, sustained substantial damage from a fire that erupted while the airplane was holding short of runway 14 for takeoff at the Alexandria Esler Regional Airport, Alexandria, Louisiana. The aircraft was operated by RFB Flying Service of New Orleans, Louisiana, and flown by a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned cross country flight and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. During a personal telephone interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge (IIC), the operator reported that the flight departed New Orleans, Louisiana, earlier that day for Alexandria. The aircraft was owned by a private individual and leased to RFB Flying Service who rented the airplane to the pilot. Air Traffic Control personnel reported that the airplane taxied "fast" for approximately 2 miles (due to airport construction) to runway 14 for a VFR departure. The airplane was holding short of the runway when the controller observed smoke coming from the lower part of the aircraft and advised the pilot. The pilot reported that he had smoke in the cockpit and that he and the passenger exited the aircraft through the cockpit door. Subsequently the fire consumed the cockpit and lower portions of the aircraft. FAA inspectors examined the airplane and found structural fire damage to the wings, gear, and braking system. The emergency braking system was found in the "OFF" position. Fire damage precluded a determination of the cause of the braking system fire. A review of the maintenance records by the IIC revealed that the brake linings were replaced on July 16, 1997. The last 100 hour inspection was performed on October 10, 1997. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2881D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2881D-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 32-7940176 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-32-300 - Registry model: [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300) (registry code 7103212) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32-7940176 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rfb Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 24, 1997 - Departed: AEX - Destination: NEW, NEW ORLEANS, LA - Airport: AEX, Alexandria Esler Regional, runway 14, 9,300 × 200 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 653 total, 10 in this make and model, 653 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19980125000619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980125000619A), Jan 25, 1998: Piper PA32300, Alexandria, LA, Substantial damage. Acft was taxing when the brakes caught fire and other parts of the acft caught fire, Alexandria, LA. (-23) aircraft taxied to runway 14, was holding short for… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.